Boxing
Frank Smith rules out Joshua-Makhmudov after Allen win
Published
7 months agoon
Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has ruled out a fight between Anthony Joshua and Arslanbek Makhmudov following a beating by Russian great Dave Allen last Saturday night in Sheffield, England.
(Source: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
“AJ follows his own path” – what does that mean?
Smith said Tyson Fury is one of the names that Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) is rumored to fight in 2026. Although he didn’t mention Jake Paul, he’s definitely the latter. This fight could be even bigger than Joshua vs. Fury as Jake has a much larger social media following than the aging 37-year-old Fury.
Frank is not saying that Makmudov (21-2, 19 KO) is too perilous for Joshua. Some of the shots the massive 6-foot-1/2-inch Russian hit Allen with gave AJ a lot of trouble.
Makhmudov continued to throw with tremendous power in the 11th and 12th rounds, following a twelve-round unanimous decision victory over “The White Rhino” Allen last Saturday night. Before the fight, there was a belief that Arslanbek would tire in the later rounds, lose power and become defenseless.
AJ’s question about punch resistance
This largely did not happen. In round 12 he continued to hit just as challenging as he had in the first three rounds. If Joshua gets hit by shots like Allen, it will be bad for him. It would be AJ’s second straight knockout and would spoil the money fights with Jake Paul and Fury.
“Everyone wants to fight AJ. We will obviously work with Arslanbek moving forward with the fights, but everyone wants to fight AJ,” Matchroom CEO Frank Smith said. Boxing King’s Mediain reaction to the news that Arslanbek Makhmudov said he wants to fight Anthony Joshua next, following his victory over Dave Allen last Saturday night.
Why Matchroom won’t take a chance on Joshua now
It’s understandable why Smith wouldn’t want Joshua to get even close to a fighter like Makhmudov. He is too powerful and everything is bad for him. At this point in AJ’s career, when his punch resistance seems to be gone, he would be better off fighting guys like Fury or Otto Wallin. Jake is unharmed because he is so much smaller, and the giant purse that Joshua gets will aid soften the blow of his potential loss.
Fury 2026: Still the most vital for Matchroom
“Of course it is. Everyone sees it as a huge opportunity, but… AJ is also following his own path as to what he wants to do. The [Tyson] The Fury fight is a fight that is being talked about a lot in 2026. Let’s see how things go,” Smith said.
True, Smith says Makhmoud is not in Joshua’s plans. He didn’t say who, apart from Jake, Paul will face Joshua if they fail to get the Fury fight. The “Gypsy King” is incredibly wealthy and his fortune is estimated at approx $160 million. He may not want to leave his stately home in Morecambe to return to the challenging life of a boxer and go to war with a tough boxer like Joshua.
If Tyson had the punching power of Makhmudov, I could see him returning to the ring. However, he cannot punch and would be forced to go 12 rounds to beat Joshua. It’s challenging work for anyone, especially a chubby fighter carrying over 20 pounds of excess weight around their midsection.
Bakola has been mentioned – but he doesn’t have a paycheck like Joshua’s
“He can get into massive fights,” Smith said when asked what Makhmudov can do now. “He’s in this position now, after winning in such an atmosphere on a night like this and with such a performance. He can fight Bakole.” Smith said about the option for Arslanbek.
Somehow I don’t see Makhmudov being excited about fighting Martin Bakole as a replacement option for fighting Joshua for a mega-million dollar payday. The money he will receive for fighting Bakole will not be even close to what he will receive for fighting AJ.
Olly Campbell has been covering boxing since 2010 and writing for Boxing News 24 since 2014. He has been based in the UK and currently covers the world boxing scene, providing fight news, results and features that allow fans to hear the biggest stories in the sport.
With a background in reporting from the UK and Europe, Olly has developed a style that combines acute analysis with accessible writing, making his work valuable to dedicated followers and casual fans alike. His reports consistently highlight champions, challengers and emerging prospects on the global stage.
Last update: 12/10/2025
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Boxing
Erik Morales Gives Fair Verdict on Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: “Who Will Win”
Published
1 hour agoon
April 28, 2026
Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales, who is the same age as Floyd Mayweather, presented his version of the 49-year-old’s expected rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
The two pound-for-pound icons will face off in a professional competition on September 19, headlining the Netflix event at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, their second meeting seemed to be in jeopardy after Mayweather stated last month that it would be an exhibition match.
Pacquiao and his team have since stated that it will be a fully sanctioned fight, but we are still waiting for an official announcement.
Their first meeting took place in 2015 and earned Mayweather a unanimous decision victory in an event that quickly became known as the most lucrative boxing event of all time.
Shortly thereafter Pacquiao claimed he entered the welterweight fight with a shoulder injurybut he never had the opportunity to exact his revenge.
But now the 47-year-old hopes to break Mayweather’s 50-0 record after ending his nearly four-year hiatus from professional boxing last July.
But while the Filipino drew with Mario Barrios, the then-WBC welterweight champion, many suggested he and Mayweather shouldn’t be entering the ring at this stage of their lives.
One of them is Morales, who fought Pacquiao three times, winning the first meeting but losing the next two. He told Fight Hub TV that the rematch would be won by the Hall of Famer who turned down the fight the least.
“We’re not at the age to get into fights. But hey, it’ll be intriguing. Whoever arrives the least injured and a little faster, [will win]”
Erik Morales Predicts Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2‼️‼️
“We’re not at the age to get into fights… This will be intriguing. Whoever wins must come to fight less hurt and a little faster!” – Erik Morales
Watch Benavidez vs. Zurdo this Saturday on DAZN. Go to… pic.twitter.com/6fVLRqTza1
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) April 27, 2026
Ahead of any rematch with Pacquiao, Mayweather confirmed he would fight Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis on June 27.
“You can’t be disappointed with something that never happened,” Finkel told Sky Sports. “Eddie never contacted us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder. Same venerable story, just novel date.”
The comments question Eddie Hearn’s recent suggestions that Anthony Joshua could face Wilder ahead of his planned clash with Tyson Fury in slow 2026.
Joshua is instead scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyad, ending any immediate speculation about the long-discussed clash with Wilder.
Just a few weeks ago, Eddie Hearn was here calling Wilder a warm-up fight for Joshua’s scheduled fight with Tyson Fury. This is a solemn marketing move. This keeps the fans engaged and gives the impression that AJ is willing to take on the most risky puncher in the league just to keep himself busy.
However, Shelly Finkel’s answer is fascinating. He firmly stated that there was “no reason” to be frustrated because no real approach was ever taken. If Hearn was solemn, the first step would have been to email or call Finkel. According to Wilder’s camp, such a thing never happened.
Instead of Wilder, Joshua is now officially scheduled to face the little-known Prenga. This move serves two purposes for Joshua’s camp: It is a much safer fight as Joshua rehabs from his car accident earlier this year. It also opens the door to a massive fight with Fury in slow 2026 without the risk of Wilder ruining a payday with one right hand.
This has been a pattern for years. We saw this in 2019 when uncontested talks failed, and again in 2023 when both were on the “Day of Reckoning” card but never actually paired up.
Wilder, who recently returned to the ring after a victory over Derek Chisora, also mentioned his interest in a future fight with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Finkel’s comments suggest that Joshua’s fight remains in familiar territory, being discussed publicly but never formally pursued behind the scenes.
Boxing
Hall of Fame champion claims he would be the one to beat Terence Crawford: ‘I’m going to win’
Published
5 hours agoon
April 28, 2026
The star fighter, who has made an astonishing 15 defenses of his welterweight world title, supported himself in a fantastic showdown with Terence Crawford.
Many consider “Bud” to be one of the greatest welterweight champions of all time, considering his size undisputed triumph over Errol Spence Jr in 2023
He had previously won seven straight 147-pound world titles, all through stoppages, but he could only cement his position as top dog by dethroning Spence.
Not only did he defeat “The Truth” and win his three world titles, but Crawford secured a surprisingly one-sided defeat over nine rounds.
After that career-defining moment, the American became the undisputed three-division champion, moving up to 168 pounds to dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
However, at welterweight, Crawford managed to produce some of his best performances, perhaps striking the perfect balance between being vigorous and impressively fit.
Another man who has had considerable success at 147 pounds is, of course, Felix Trinidad, who reigned as the IBF world champion for almost seven years.
Two of his greatest victories came against Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker, who both went on to create Hall of Fame careers in their own right.
It is therefore natural that “Tito” sees his chances in a direct fight with Crawford, saying: Fighting Hub TV that he would give “Bud” his only professional flaw.
“With all due respect to Crawford…Tito Trinidad – I will win.”
While no fighter has been able to answer Crawford’s mystery, it is equally safe and sound to say that the former five-division world champion has never faced someone like Trinidad.
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